Toyota Supra vs. BMW M3: Are They The Same Car Under the Hood?

Are the Toyota Supra and BMW M3 the same car? No—they're cousins, not twins. While both feature BMW 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engines, they're completely different powerplants. The Supra uses the single-turbo B58 (335 hp) and sits on the nimble Z4 sports car platform. The M3 features the race-bred, twin-turbo S58 (503 hp) with different internals, cylinder head, and a different chassis entirely. The Supra is a lightweight, agile two-seater. The M3 is a four-door sedan platform designed for both luxury and track performance. One is a Japanese sports car with BMW parts; the other is a true German performance machine. At Prime Motors Co, we have both in stock—here's what sets them apart.

The Engine: B58 vs. S58

The biggest source of confusion comes from the engine bay. Yes, both cars use a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine designed by BMW. However, they are not the same engine.

The Toyota Supra: B58

The Toyota Supra is powered by the B58 engine. This is BMW's "mainstream" performance engine, also found in the M340i and Z4.

Configuration: Single Twin-Scroll Turbo
Character: Instant low-end torque, incredible reliability, and smooth power delivery.
Best For: Daily driving and spirited canyon runs. It's punchy from stoplight to stoplight and arguably sounds better due to the single-turbo design.

The BMW M3: S58

The BMW M3 uses the S58 engine. While based on the B58 architecture, the S58 is a true "M" division engine built for the track.

Configuration: Twin Mono-Scroll Turbos
Character: It loves to rev. The S58 has a shorter stroke and a bigger bore than the B58, allowing it to scream to a 7,200 RPM redline.
Key Differences: It has a completely different cylinder head, stronger internal components, and a vastly more complex cooling system designed to handle track abuse.

The Verdict: The M3's S58 is a race-bred monster. The Supra's B58 is a street-tuned masterpiece. They share DNA, but the M3 engine is in a completely different weight class of performance.

The Platform: Z4 vs. 3 Series

Another common misconception is that the Supra is just an M3 coupe. In reality, the Supra was developed alongside the BMW Z4, not the M3.

Toyota Supra: Built on a dedicated sports car chassis (short wheelbase, two seats). It is smaller, lighter, and more agile than an M3. It feels like a true sports car—you sit low, near the rear axle, and the car rotates around you.
BMW M3: Built on the 3-Series sedan platform (CLAR). It's physically larger, heavier, and has a longer wheelbase. This makes it more stable at high speeds (like on the Autobahn) but less "flickable" than the Supra on a tight road.

Interior & Tech

This is where the lines blur the most. If you sit in our Toyota Supra inventory, you will recognize the gear selector, iDrive infotainment knob, and climate control buttons—they are straight out of the BMW parts bin.

However, the BMW M3 typically features the latest generation of BMW tech, whereas the Supra uses a slightly older (but still excellent) version of BMW's interface.

Which One Should You Buy?

The choice comes down to what you want from a performance car.

Choose the Toyota Supra if:

You want a dedicated two-seater sports car experience.
You prefer agility and fun over brute force.
You want an engine that feels punchy at legal speeds.
You want to turn heads—the Supra's design is still a showstopper.

Choose the BMW M3 if:

You need four doors and usable back seats.
You want the pinnacle of inline-6 performance (500+ horsepower).
You plan to track the car seriously.
You want a car that does everything: grocery getter on Monday, track weapon on Sunday.

Experience Them Both at Prime Motors Co

Reading about specs is one thing; feeling the difference is another. We invite you to visit our Portland showroom to compare these two legends in person.

Check out our Toyota Supra Inventory
Browse our BMW M3 Inventory and Additional M3s

Whether you choose the Japanese samurai with a German heart or the ultimate German driving machine, you're getting one of the best performance cars on the market today.

Prime Motors Co is Portland's premier destination for luxury and performance vehicles. Visit us at 2627 SE Holgate Blvd or call (971) 512-0578 to schedule a test drive.